PHOTO of the DAY...

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
16/10/22

As another week begins and we take unstoppable steps toward winter, the prospect of spring seems but a distant hope, and what one wonders will the news headlines bring us before the leaves unfurl once more? Putin's evil intent makes you wonder how far he might just be tempted to push, or which buttons he might feel drawn to pushing, while Downing Street's recent disappointing activities do little to give much confidence for the months that stand between now and spring... anyway, the weather pundits reckon it's going to be a mild winter, so perhaps there's some good news unless you're an avid snowball fighter?

The way time flies spring will be here in a blink and another birthday will have been logged. They're really beginning to tot up now from where I'm sitting..62 birthdays have passed since Blackbushe Airport was closed. Prior to that closure plans for a new Blackbushe Airport included a 10,000ft runway and an airport that was even considered becoming London's first airport, at the time Blackbushe was looked upon as London's second airport. As we know, the West Sussex aerodrome known as Gatwick was chosen for the role, the convenient airport in north-east Hampshire was dropped like a stone bringing about much unemployment, some airlines going out of business, and any efforts to take Blackbushe over as a going concern were rapidly swatted by the government who chose to eliminate the Airport with all possible speed.





Looking through the new fence when weighing up the struggles that have endured since May 1960 when "the last aeroplane at Blackbushe" took to the sky, it is truly miraculous that on the other side of the fence a busy airport not only survives but thrives as business flights and three top rate flying schools keep the Control Tower staff busy! If the 'other side' of the fence people had had their way the entire place would be an overgrown wilderness..happily that demise failed to claim the spirit of Blackbushe!!



Perhaps today you're planning your movements over the coming week? Now would be an opportune moment to remind you that this Thursday evening the Pathfinder Cafe will be hosting the next Blackbushe Airport Consultative Committee. It starts at 19.00 and is very much a public meeting where the latest Airport news is conveyed and representatives of the numerous local councils are gathered. You will have the opportunity to ask questions of the Committee, but beyond that these meetings are historically poorly attended by the public, especially those who care for Blackbushe Airport where a show of support for the airfield would do no harm in the eyes of the councils represented. If you care for Blackbushe please make the effort to attend, it'll be good to see you!

Mention was made just now how time flies, an example of this must be that it's 45 years today that the Boeing 777-300 first flew..nearly half a century!!

Back in 1908, not that I remember it, Samuel Cody ascended from Farnborough Common (Yes, another airfield on Common Land) in his British Army Aeroplane No1 with a 50hp Antoinette engine up front. The flight covered 424 metres prior to a crash landing from which the aviator survived.

OK, one more fact about today. On this day in 1939 Spitfires of 602 and 603 Squadrons attacked a Luftwaffe He111 over Lothian, Scotland. This was the German Luftwaffe's first attack on British territory and suffice to say the He111 did not return to base!! It was the first German aircraft to fall to the Royal Air Force.

Don't forget to buy your Blackbushe heritage Trust raffle tickets when you're visiting the Pathfinder Cafe, and hopefully we'll see you on Thursday evening??




PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
17/10/22


A pleasantly warm autumn morning as we await the return of our star to cast some light across the plains of north east Hampshire.

"POTD" today is turning into a bit of a shop window.. Why? Because there are things we can all do to assist with the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's ambition to return a Viking airliner to Blackbushe for display and a contribution to British aviation heritage and a token of the Airport's close involvement with the type during the golden days of civil aviation that flourished right here..




When you're enjoying a visit to the Airport's Pathfinder Cafe there are a couple of things you can easily do to support the Viking's return. First option is to make sure you acquire one of our Limited Edition Blackbushe Heritage Trust mugs. Just £10, every time you enjoy using it reminds of your contribution to the Viking's return!




For just £3 the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's first annual raffle literally offers you the sky!

First prize is an extraordinary opportunity for a flight simulation experience at Heathrow in one of the most advanced flight simulators as used by British Airways flight crews. In the hands of professional instructors it's an amazing opportunity! An experience worth hundreds of pounds and it could be yours!!

Second prize is one of three flights in a light aircraft from Blackbushe!! The sky awaits you..


Third prize, a super framed print of the Viking plus a Blackbushe Heritage Trust cap..


..and fourth prize, a £50 voucher for you to use during future visits to the Pathfinder Cafe!!

Just ask for your tickets next time you're at the Pathfinder.


And when will you be at the Pathfinder next? How about this coming Thursday evening?? It's the BLACKBUSHE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE MEETING, starts at 7pm - October 20th. All are welcome to attend, it's a public meeting, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions at "Question time". The meetings only take place twice a year, they present a great opportunity for anyone who has interest, belief in, or use of the Airport to show their support for the Airport by simply attending. Whatever your interest, you will be very welcome!!




This wonderful study from David Payne of an Eagle Viking at Blackbushe speaks volumes for the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's ambition to return a venerable Viking to this, the home of the Viking!!


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
18/10/22

Having read yesterday's "POTD" you will realise how the Blackbushe Heritage Trust are moving toward the day when their Vickers Viking aeroplane arrives at Blackbushe?

Unashamedly we tread on the 'promotional' route again today....

"One of our Trustees, Phil Johns, will be presenting "Tales from his Travel Bag - adventures of a lifetime" - the talk will follow his 51 year career in aviation in locations all over the world, including time spent in Nigeria, Burma, Borneo, Iran, the UAE, Australia, and crewing Search and Rescue helicopters in the North Sea. At the start of that long and varied career, Phil was an apprentice with Eagle Airways at Blackbushe!

Admission £10 per head, to include teas/coffees"

Come an 'feel and share' the memories, Pathfinder Cafe, 7pm, Tuesday, 22nd November...Every penny raised is another step of the Viking's journey back to Blackbushe!


For anyone harbouring curiosity as to what it was like to work at the full-size commercial airport that Blackbushe once was, Phil will have the answers.




An Eagle moment on the Blackbushe apron. The passage of time has barred many of today's followers of Blackbushe's story from ever seeing the Airport in her full commercial dress, for those who remember from days spent idly watching from the road side or the main car park fence - like me - the story is almost dreamlike. The images are clearly embossed upon the memory, but looking at the scene today it is increasingly hard to believe that most of the surrounding overgrown tangle was once all part of a beautifully maintained airport where all types, large, small, civil, and military covered her acres in aviation activity. Those of a certain vintage will remember through the varied veils of memory that wonderful scene, and those that remember know just how Blackbushe Airport looked when once she wore big airport clothes, and the sound of aero engines - big pistons, turbo props and jets - clearly told their story.




Why did the Viking cross the road? Duty calls! An Eagle Viking has just crossed the A30 enroute from Eagle's engineering base on Blackbushe 'south' to the north side where passengers and runways await..


Don't forget this week's date, Thursday October 20th. The Blackbushe Airport Consultative Committee meeting. Starts 7pm, public attendance, listen and learn about what's happening regarding the Airport, you can ask questions too! Costs you nothing but a couple of hours of your time, and if you think the Blackbushe story is important this is your chance to show your support simply by turning up!!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
19/10/22

Most days' in the history of man's conquest of the air contain some kind of a landmark.

Today, 19 October, was something of a milestone in that conquest in so much as Concorde made her first passenger carrying flight into New York back in 1977. A marvel of aviation technology and stuffed full of Anglo French pride the beautiful bird failed to bring about the revolution hoped for in supersonic global air travel. The wide body concept proved much better for airline bank balances, Concorde carried pride, excitement, and gasps of admiration from most where ever she roamed, and will forever be remembered as a technological triumph but a lame duck from the point of view of profit and loss figures and environmental battles that accompanied this beautiful aeroplane. A video clip I found this morning ties up something of the story that lead to Concorde. www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWX35oMFpEA




From first to last...A few months earlier, July 1977, at Blackbushe the venerable Vickers Varsity made her last visit to Blackbushe in the shape of no less than the two Varsities that flew each day at the 1977 Blackbushe Air Festival while putting on a unique two-ship display. This was the last time the round sounds of the Bristol Hercules engines would catch the ear while flying from Blackbushe. After what must have been thousands of take-offs from Blackbushe propelled by the Hercules engine, this was the end of the road, or runway.




The sound of the Bristol Hercules engine was heard once again in July 2017 when we celebrated Blackbushe's 75th Anniversary. Very much static and with a very much smaller propeller than the engine was used to for flight she fired up regularly during our two days of celebrations. From wartime use in the Beaufighter, Halifax, Stirling, Solent, and some Lancasters to commercial transports such as the Viking and her stable mates of the Varsity and Valetta, Bristol Freighter, Hermes, Hastings, plus Nord and Breguet types, the sound of the Bristol Hercules were well used to enjoying the open spaces of Blackbushe..



Whether that famed sound will ever again transmit across Blackbushe remains to be seen. A long shot might be the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's Viking some time after its arrival at Blackbushe, but unlikely for a long time ahead as preparation of the airframe for viewing will be the first priority...


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
20/10/22

06.00 and +15C at ground level. Nice, why not take some balmy autumn evening air and whizz round to....




...the Pathfinder Cafe by 19.00 this evening???



Why? Anyone who keeps an eye on "POTD" will know that this evening is one of two evenings a year that the Blackbushe Airport Consultative Committee meets. As the Forum has stressed before it's the duty of anyone and all who have 'feelings' for Blackbushe and her ongoing well being to attend these meetings. Firstly you get get a complete update on the airfield's performance and ongoing status toward the future. You also get a chance to place a question from the public gallery with regard to the Airport and local authorities as, all being well, the local councils who have interest in Blackbushe will be represented by their elected councillors..

Be great to see you there showing support for the one and only Blackbushe... Meeting starts 7pm at the Pathfinder Cafe! TONIGHT.....

See you there??

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
21/10/22

Could you make it up? Yesterday was another day in history, history that will make fascinating reading in years to come as the nation's Prime Ministers continue to change as regularly as the British weather -
In four months we've entertained four chancellors, three home secretaries, two prime ministers and two monarchs. Material for some new words to a well known Christmas carol?

A far more satisfying experience was last night's Blackbushe Airport Consultative Committee meeting at the Pathfinder. Free teas and coffee for all. Being an event that now happens twice a year there was much to be gone through, Chris Gazzard - Airport Manager - gave a very detailed account of the Airport's performance with slides to indicate every rise and fall in movements, fuel sales, and the Airport's viability. Suffice to say the airfield is increasingly standing on its own two feet as revenues continue to sustain the operation. It was noted that business movements have improved, partly thanks to Farnborough restricting traffic below 7500 kgs at weekends.

Chris also outlined details of the moves being made toward securing necessary agreement regarding curtilage of current structures on the airfield and plans to secure authority to build new infrastructure as required. It's not straightforward , of course, could be another 18 months... More news will be provided as and when, but I would say that the swing in local mood toward our Airport is light years ahead of that in the beginning when behaviour of the anti-airport-body was quite sickening. The Yateley plan acknowledges Blackbushe and her hopes to develop that much needed operational infrastructure.

I was asked to give an impromptu talk on the Blackbushe Heritage Trust and its ambitions.. Again, reception was positive! I mentioned our BHT mugs were on available, perhaps next time we'll clinch some sales?

Grateful thanks to the small body of Blackbushe supporters, volunteers, and providers of excellent photographs who attended last night's meeting. The Minutes will be published on the Airport website in due course, and the Forum will place a link on here as soon as they're available.. I think you'll find them very interesting..




Here's one of my battered old photos from the fifties when fog diversions from Hounslow were not unusual.. But WHY this morning?



I'll explain. Blackbushe has long been known for its 'good weather' record. Nowhere is ever 100% weather proof, but Blackbushe being built on a commanding natural plateau entertains a great 'fog free' record. Last evening when driving both to and from the Airport illustrated the point. Approaching from the south along the lanes that cross farm land while climbing the ascent to Blackbushe's height thick rolls of fog engulfed the car, a blanket that was considerably thicker for the return journey three hours later. Needless to say, Blackbushe Airport was totally free of any sign of mists or fog....

That's enough, 07.30, time to read the paper and find the latest resignations....

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
22/10/22

It's the weekend, a pleasant +12C at 05.30, all's right with the world.. Well, it might be if it wasn't for the media and their ways of serving the 'news'? Emphasis continues to be placed on mental health issues after the media pump us full of end to end negativity. Yesterday evening, for example, Russia and its violence toward innocents while sending its own to be slaughtered in the name of VP, accompanied by video clips that we are told some people might find 'upsetting'. Evening viewing as reporters dive for cover due to 'inbounds' from somewhere and the latest body bags make our screens.. The British economy tanked, disarray amid a government whose similarity to lemmings increases by the day, Covid on the increase, influenza on the increase, the militant sect planning to bring the nation to its knees, energy costs going through the roof sponsored by Vlad, the ban everything brigade who glue themselves to whatever they can, blocking traffic while the Police serve them tea, as their actions bring everything including emergency services and the innocents going to work to a standstill.. Maybe a spoonful of sugar built into the news now and then would help?

WE need more good news, from the view point of "POTD" there will be good news from Blackbushe in due course so far as improvements to her operation and infrastructure are concerned. A mere 60 years will be worth waiting when those first hangars reach upward from the airfield's turf! The wheels are in continual operation leading toward those green pastures sprouting a new Blackbushe, but continued patience remains a requirement a while longer...

This time of year the encroaching dark hours have replaced those long summer evenings of warmth and light, Halloween and fireworks once again knocking at the door. All good fun, but why not put 22nd November in your diary right now?

The Blackbushe Heritage Trust are, as you know, intent on returning a Vickers Viking airliner to Blackbushe as a salute to our heritage. The aeroplane that proliferated during Blackbushe's golden age as a leading London airport, the aeroplane that helped the growing number of post war independent airlines - many Blackbushe based - reach across the nation, Europe and into Africa. The first British post war commercial airliner, an aeroplane that had to compete with the likes of the Dakota of which many survived from their wartime roles and became civvy work horses. The Viking was so much a part of the Blackbushe scene the return of the type for display will be an amazing source of story telling!!

Now, one thing stands in the way of the Viking's return - and that is finance. We need to raise some £35,000 to cover the job of getting her home from Austria. Various fund raising activities have been going on through the year, these extending into the winter by means of our raffle, sales of merchandise, and a series of winter talks. The first of our talks is on 22nd November at the Pathfinder Cafe..





Escape from the TV and gloom and doom that emits from its endless news updates!!


Seating is limited to 45 so we'd suggest you book early to avoid disappointment. If you turn up on the evening and we're full, sorry..... Phil Johns has had a very dynamic life, a life that was launched by an apprenticeship with Eagle Airways at Blackbushe... His story will amuse and entertain!! A great way to invest £10, and every £ going into the Viking's bank account is another step nearer to bringing her home. Thank you!!

Hope to see you in November, if not before!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
23/10/22

How time flies, it was on this day nineteen years ago that the Concorde era and supersonic passenger air travel edged toward its conclusion. Speedbird Concorde 01 made its last commercial departure from Heathrow bound for New York JFK. The following day she returned as Speedbird Concorde 02 with her final cargo of speed of sound commuters, she landed in sequence with two other Concordes on Heathrow's 27 Right, and that was when the extraordinary story of man's venture into hauling passengers at speeds in excess of 2,000 kph closed its pages.

Concorde visited Blackbushe twice. First by road during transit between RAE Farnborough and Bristol, and second when she did a flypast in connection with BCA...



Concorde's flying visit to Blackbushe.




Blackbushe played her part in Concorde's development. A minor part, perhaps, as the airframe destined for RAE Farnborough's Concorde structure testing facility found Blackbushe a conveniently placed location to facilitate handover to Farnborough technicians.. But then, Blackbushe has always been conveniently placed for aviation's purposes!


In the near future "POTD" will carry an update on progress being made toward finally achieving agreement that will lead to an improved overall infrastructure, but for now we'll leave you with the fact that far more positive vibes are flying through the air regarding Blackbushe than has been the case for very many years....

..and don't forget, if you wish to keep up to speed on the Blackbushe Heritage Trust and their endeavours to return a Viking to Blackbushe for display, you can always sign up via the Trust's website..
www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/




The full span apron as it was in the glorious fifties, a handful of Eagle Vikings ready for duty. The Trust will be happy with just one Viking! Note the high intensity apron lighting that once illuminated an apron some four time larger than that of today. At least one third of the Terminal has survived the destructive hand of the Airport's historic local and County councils' emotions....



9H-ASDU by wokinghampaul, on Flickr
Thanks to Paul once again! Yesterday's service from Catania, Sicily...



Nowadays the Airport serves increasing numbers of business flights where the benefits of affordable Blackbushe are becoming more realised! Yesterday's longest haul arrival being a Citation from Catania, Sicily. Lyon, Biarritz and Saint Etienne were also included in yesterday's international movements. To paraphrase an old advert slogan of a few years ago, "The Future's Bright, the Future's Blackbushe".

Stay tuned.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
24/10/22


Flight and the desire to fly has been an inspiration lodged in mankind's mind probably since we studied pterodactyls soaring through pre-historic skies. To some of us flight is a personal thing, every second detached from terra firma being precious and logged for old times' sake. 60 years ago I took my first taste of separation from the mother planet and subsequently logged many hours in many types of aeroplane. That first moment as Blackbushe's runway 08 slipped away beneath the Blackbushe Aero Club's Piper Colt remains as if it were yesterday, a grey March Sunday afternoon that remains in memory in advance of many other March afternoons. By the end of '63 I'd flown in thirteen different types of aeroplane involving fourteen aeroplanes, all from Blackbushe, lots of local flights with airfields such as White Waltham, Thruxton, and Kidlington included in the year's book of memories. The joy of those early days at Blackbushe amid priceless camaraderie remains legend.

It was only a year or so since AVM Bennett had acquired most of the Airport and the battle to to make her a useable airfield had started. The new Blackbushe Aero Club provided the gravity to attract some very special people all of whom were 100% dedicated to seeing the airfield stand on its own two feet again. I won't mention any particular names, all were special! I tagged along as a lanky schoolboy overjoyed to have become affiliated with those whom I saw as heroes in their ability to fly and their dedication to the question of getting Blackbushe 'airworthy'..

Sixty years have taken their toll, very few of the faces I so clearly have in my mind are with us in 2022. I continue to log every moment of detachment from the good Earth with some 130 different types, 517 different aeroplanes flown in, and last month my 200th airfield flown into... Nothing particularly remarkable over six decades but to me every moment tinged with magic!

Eighty years ago the Hartford Bridge Flats were nearing completion as they transformed into RAF Hartford Bridge. In a week from now in 1942 the airfield many of us cherish as Blackbushe would officially become 'operational'.




A magical day In June this year when we celebrated Blackbushe's "80th"... June is a far better month to celebrate an airfield's '80th' than November - well it is in this country!




The joy of those early 1960's years was tempered by the sounds and sights of the Airport's east end being torn asunder as the local council took their opportunity to destroy an airfield of untold value.




Changing times! My first Mini keeping an eye on things, probably 1965 - or thereabouts. Note trial lessons with Blackbushe Aero Club £2.0.0. Still in old currency of pounds, shillings and pence! The Parachute Club were very much obvious most weekends with jumps from up to 10,000'. Airspace overhead was very different to that of today, and London were very co-operative when clearance was needed to reach such dizzy heights. A visiting Dove takes the apron foreground while AVM Bennett's resident Dove shows it tail feathers. The Rapide was used for parachute work, the Auster and Cessna belonging to resident flying clubs.




Terminal view 1963ish.. A Pilatus Porter gets airborne from runway 19. Back then we had the freedom of all six runway headings dependent on the wind direction. The runway 'tee' in the signal square never had the chance to go rusty with the English wind's propensity to change on a regular basis..




1964. Three Counties Aero Club were well established, Prentice G-AOPL had joined the fleet, and the Airport signal square wherein the busy runway 'tee' lived shows its concrete surround to the left of the photo.




Life and death of an airfield go hand in hand. A Three Counties Auster 6 surveys the disappearing airfield...




59 years later, Blackbushe still has a way to go, but the apron scene in 2022 speaks for itself....



PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
25/10/22

25th October, 25th December creeps ever closer. For the past weeks garden centres and card shops have transformed into Christmas grottoes, considering how the media tell us the nation is "struggling" financially the festive move to relieve us of our hard earned pennies is either optimistic or misguided? Whatever, the years are definitely getting shorter, it can't be more than five minutes ago I finally wrestled the Christmas 'stuff' back into the roof? It is said that ageing accelerates the apparent passage of time, but....surely not?




Do you find car parks interesting? No, nor do I, but sometimes they can capture the attention. Take this one..British Car Auctions use of their parking space on their Blackbushe Airport site. The discussion on use of Common Land is an interesting one..




Today's Blackbushe Airport parking area in the lower left of the photo. Back in the sixties demand for parking was somewhat more limited than today!




21st Century parking at Blackbushe is in greater demand both in the car park and on the main apron...




The Saturday just gone demonstrates a typical weekend's demand for parking space at Blackbushe as the Airport shows without any shade of doubt that she is a prime site for aviation related business and activity.




The BCA plot in the Doug Arnold era before it turned into a car sales lot.. The pleasure of having REAL hangars again was immeasurable! If short lived...




Hangarage in the sixties, the temp 'lock-up' hangars built by the AVM and his crew. They served their purpose!




Hangarage in the fifties, the United States Navy's massive hangar, large enough to house two Super Constellations..




..and then in the sixties. The Navy hangar remained a part of the Blackbushe skyline until its destruction in the 1970s. Blackbushe 'east' is captured here showing the expanse lost to council ownership.




Back to the Blackbushe 75th for a moment, and recall of the venerable and chunky AN-2 spending the weekend with us. Seems the none-too-fast AN-2 is still able to play games in the 21st Century. Read below!



This from the latest edition of AvWEB! "A Cuban pilot defected to Florida on Friday but there won’t be much intelligence to be gleaned from the government aircraft he stole. The pilot, identified by a Spanish publication as Ruben Martinez, flew an ancient Antonov An-2 single-engine biplane at wavetop level before landing at Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in the Everglades. “The pilot of the plane notified the Miami-Dade County tower at TNT Airport that he was low on fuel and had to land there minutes before he landed,” Greg Chin, the Miami-Dade Aviation Department’s communications director, told Local 10 news.

Martinez reportedly left El Cedro, Cuba at 7 a.m. and headed for Florida. “He told airport staff that he was a defector from Sancti Spiritus, Cuba,” Chin said. The TSA and Customs and Border Protection are, of course, interested in how the school-bus sized relic of the Soviet era was able to sneak through one of the most surveilled coastlines in the country. Martinez is being held by Customs officials. The aircraft is owned by a Cuban company called ENSA, which is a subsidiary of the government’s Cuban Aviation Corporation. It normally supplies cropdusting aircraft but recently began carrying cargo".

PB